Though just about as invested as Ebonitus, D.O.R.K could only do so much to as well before the re the rebuttal drew her attention. Still, she'd spare the genasi one last look and see the beginnings of things being hopefully well in hand, prior to then marching over to the man. "Even when those wishes would contradict each other?" He asks, sounding at least genuinely curious. "I see... It is unfortunate that you choose to see with eyes wide shut. Just... as I've had until recently... But perhaps with time you may learn to crack them open just a little, seek repentance, and truly seek to serve your greater power." She then looks to the cultist holding Tralt and asks plainly, "Is there somewhere that he can be held on the ship? At least until our business here has concluded."

Devin scoffs.  "Even when that dragon indiscriminately kills your fellows on deck?  Well, the dragon said it would be back and wanted a slave.  We'll give him you and your friends can continue to serve Klauth."

Devin looks at the others.

"Until then can we land this thing so we can do the things you promised in service to Klauth?"

To D.O.R.K.'s question one of the cultists says "well you could lock him in the storeroom in the bow if you want?"

To Devin's question another of the cultists says "well if there's not to much wind now that the propeller has stopped we could throw down the grapples?"

D.O.R.K nods curtly. "That will do. If need be, move anything that might facilitate escape from the storeroom into a bedroom for the time being as well. And make sure he remains bound while in this storeroom." She says in a somewhat authoritative tone and hands folded behind her back. "And if possible, make sure another remains in the vicinity to apprehend Tralt here to prevent sabotage. As for the rest of you, once he's been secured, we shall prepare for disembark procedures for myself and fellow acolytes. Our business will hopefully not take long. But do repair the ship as needed in the meantime." She further assured. 

She would stand by a few moments longer to overwatch proceedings if followed by the cultists. However, It's only once all of them are out of sight when she'd finally let her shoulders sink in relief. "... Aco... Devin? I... Thank you that." She said, before setting about ascending to the deck of the ship to confirm all was well up top. 

"Ya boss.   No problem." Devin says giving a mock salute. "I'll supervise down here and make sure Tralt gets locked up right and then I'll join you on deck. 

As Devin supervises the cultists clearing out the storeroom as per D.O.R.K.'s instructions he observes that not only was their two barrels of spirits but also rags, flints and other flammable material had been stacked in there. Eventually the room is judged sufficiently secure and a still bound Tralt is placed unceremoniously in the centre of the now empty storeroom. With the exception of one of the cultists who is left behind as a guard, Devin leads the other three up on deck. There they find D.O.R.K. obviously deep in conversation because with the propellor now stopped the airship is beginning to drift to the northwest being driven by the strong (10-25 mph) southeasterly wind that is blowing.

"Hey!  We need to throw anchors down, we are drifiting!"  Devin yells as he sees what is going on 

He turns to the remaining cultists. "Do we have anchors!  We need to stop."

Drifting is probably a bit of an understatement as the airship is travelling at about 15 mph. One of the cultists responds "there are four anchors, two in the bow and two in the stern!"

(OOC: I now need some help from Alan (Ebonitus's player) as he teaches physics in college and like me also ground crews for a hot air ballooning company here in Canberra - how exactly you lot are going to land this thing!)

(OOC: Oh dear... I take it the only survivors that haven't gone mutinous are the absolute schmucks of the crew. Lovely!)

Despite the seriousness of the situation, D.O.R.K couldn't help but look at whichever cultist happened to be on the deck with somewhat judge-y look. But then her gaze falls to the still to be dealt with corpses on the deck, before her eyes shift in tone in a sudden epiphany. She looked away afterwards muttering something to herself, before shaking her head and calling up to Ilezenya, "It appears we'll have to feel some things out. Once the propeller is back on, try to keep us within the clearing at least. And call out when necessary." She then turns to the rest of the rest of the cultist. "Be ready by the anchors. We don't wish to drop them too soon and create too much torque from the onset. I shall remain by the hull door here to relay speed orders to Ebonitus below.... and pray it is enough." 

"We don't need to land right?  We can anchor and throw those ladders over just like when you picked us up?  Do we use less heat to go down or are we low enough?"

Devin moves to an stern anchor ready to throw it over when ordered.

Ebonitus remains by the thrust control and calls out "Face the ship towards the wind and we can try to raise the thrust to hold it steady against the wind. Perhaps if we are lower, the wind will be less strong."

Devin changes his mind and instead moves to the furnance's controls directing the cultists to the four anchors. With Illezenya on the tiller, Devin on the furnance, Ebonitus on the thrust below decks and D.O.R.K. supervising it takes about an hour to land the airship next to the mound. It is now late afternoon so what do you want to do?

"Well, that certainly worked out didn't it.  Now we need to explore this mound and see what Mullo has found.  But I think one of us should stay here with the airship so our new friends don't leave us stranded by taking off without us." Devins says.

"Agreed. Though, a portion of me is loathe to do so, mayhaps Dusk Warden can stay behind at least for the moment. He's seem have gained a certain... aptitude for the ship. And can perhaps work with them on repairs, as there's still the matter of the controls and... his wayward rope in the propeller." D.O.R.K shook her head at the final note, and silently thanked the Red Knight for the 'battle' of control of the ship remaining in the groups favor. 

And if there's no other objections, she head's up to discuss things with Ilenezya while the rest disembarked the ship and took and immediate and closer look around at things.  Soon enough, she would rejoin the ground crew and prod Mullo on any sighting of tribesman in the area, if not on her knowledge of possible burial arrangements for the groups goal.

Mullo troubles over the diggings and what it might mean. Is someone else looking for relics as well? Is her own mound in danger? Has it already been vandalized?

She lets Haetone go where the pegasus wants as the others struggle to land the flying craft. Once they are down, Mullo lands and dismounts.

When Dork questions her about any sightings, the shaman shakes her shaggy head. "I saw no one," she says. "But I am worried about what the diggings means," she admits.

"A coincidence?" She cants her head at the question, only to then rub at her in exaggerated motions. "Depending on how old they are, it would make the most sense. Especially if the tribesman's achievements are well known enough, thieves would inevitably be attracted for less than honorable goals." She looks from the mound back to Mullo. "We should be on guard regardless, and start are search with the dig sites closer to the head of the mound. Or at least, from what little I remember from a top down view to be the head. So, when the rest of you are ready.." She looks to the others awaiting for any last minute preparations before taking point on the march. 

Ebonitus secures the controls so they will not self adjust, collects his gear and heads over to D.o.R.K. "OK, I'm ready. Let's get this show on the road."

Ilezenya nods and continues working on the airship, repairing damages and familiarizing himself with the other controls and aspects of the craft.

Devin, D.O.R.K., Ebonitus each grab a shovel - plus an extra one for Mullo - from the airship's stores and move out onto the mound. The mound is bathed in the setting sun but they start to dig nonetheless. They get in about an hour's digging before they lose the light; during which they do no more than clear some of the spoil from the previous diggings before they retreat back to the airship for the night.

After an uneventful night, the party arises just before dawn which is a little earlier as they are well south of the Spine of the World and moves back out onto the mound. After 5 hours (Devin - 9, D.O.R.K - 23, Ebonitus - 10, Mullo 18) the party has discovered nothing. Undaunted they continuing digging until they lose the light before retreating back to the airship to discuss what to do?

(OOC: Looking back at post #4422 , there appear to be some entrances to the mound or are these old dig sites?)